Abstract: Based on the CTD observational data from 24 stations of a section over the north edge of the Amery Ice Shelf during the 27th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition executed by China ‘Xuelong’ vessel, some oceanographic features are described as follow: In the west of the Prydz Bay, about the range of 71-72oE, there exists a clockwise mesoscale eddy. Owing to the existence of eddy, the ice shelf water flows mainly eastward, and it flows to the northeast near 73o30' E. In summer, the thickness of the surface water in the eastern section is about 20m, influenced by the eddy that in the western section is approximately 50m. Within the water less than 50m, water temperature in deeper layer slightly greater than in surface, i.e. so called temperature inversion layer, which is caused by freezing and melting of the sea ice. In the west of the section, there appears ‘static instability’ at many stations about 160m~200m in depths, i.e. the density is greater than that in lower with several meter in thickness. Advection mixing diffusion may be the main causing factor for this instability.

Key words: Prydz Bay, Amery Ice Shelf, Hydrological features, Mesoscale eddy